Our History
In January 2003 while returning to Asheville, NC from Philadelphia, Pastor Hackett stopped at an exit off I-95 and heard God say that this was the place that he was supposed-to-be, Richmond, VA. While excited, both Joseph & Alaysia were nervous because they were to be married in a few months. This Abrahamic move would mean to leave what they thought was a well-planned life. In addition, neither knew anyone in Richmond.
In August, after Pastor Hackett had relocated to Richmond, God birthed Leviticus Ministries, a ministry focused on teaching and training in effective prayer and strategic warfare, as well as, revisiting the original plan of God. The Levites were the worshipping priests; those who guard, protect, lead in and are responsible for the glory in the temple. The "priest" were definitely back on the scene.
After their wedding in October, Pastor Lacy arrived and they visited with churches in the city excited about being apart of a ministry that was serious about change. It had to be radical, word-based, apostolic in force, prophetic in depth, and most of all, effective.Numbers 35:1-15, gives a description- a prophecy - of the purpose and the call of this church "Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you”. Jesus announced, at the foundation of his ministry, Repent (change your way of thinking) because the Kingdom of God is here. The responsibility of this local assembly is to establish and advance the Kingdom of God in Richmond, VA. It is to cause people to go face to face with their maker and make a decision about what they will do. The C.O.R.E. is a church built on prayer and the Word of God revealed. As we obey this, we fulfill our assignment to impact Richmond.
When God commissioned us to come to Richmond, He gave prophesy of the revitalization of the city. As we heard God speak concerning the establishment of the local church, God simply says to us "Release the Fire." Fire is biblically symbolic to the presence/power of God and the essence of the Holy Spirit. We also understand that fire is passion. It is hot, burning, consuming, blazing, lethal, shining, and powerful. Our drive is to be so passionate about God and his work that we become hot, burning, consuming, blazing, lethal, shining, and powerful. In essence, we embody scripture that says he sets us all, his ministers, a blazing fire (Psalm 104:4). We become the fire, or illumination, of an Almighty God. Therefore, we teach, preach, and worship passionately with intensity and drive. In addition, as we gain air, (breath revelation) from God, we pick up momentum and become even more intense. It is our goal to literally ignite the city with the Fire (influence and passion) that God has deposited into the believing Christian. God says in Joel 2 that he will pour out his spirit. We are the conduit of that spirit- that fire that will display Jesus for the world to see.
The core of the earth is fire. That blazing inferno creates an atmosphere that fosters livable life on earth. Just like that core of the earth releases fire, God has called this local assembly to position itself inside the city, the heart of Richmond's vicinity, and release fire that will change the atmosphere of the entire city from one of carnality to one of Godliness. This change will happen systematically by design as those that are Christ's hear and obey God in their individual spheres of authority adherent to Biblical Principles. We set ourselves in position to be in a place of instruction so that these principles are taught and carried out effectively.